Beloved Daughter

Over the last few days, I have been reading the stories of women that were actually told that they were ugly when they were young.  It is so evil and sad that any person would spew those lies to a child or young woman.  It is devastating.

I feel compelled to share this post from a few years ago with you:

Today I am especially feeling the loving touch of the Holy Spirit through my whole being.  And through that Spirit, I am being led to share some loving words from our Heavenly Father.  This is a love letter to you, His precious daughter. 

Beautiful one, this is for you:

When you look in the mirror, what do you see?  Do you pick apart each facet of your physical body, and compare yourself to other women?  Do you feel inadequate or inferior; sometimes even feeling as though you are hideous in one way or another?  Do you sometimes feel ugly inside, like if people really knew you, they would realize how ugly you truly are?

The next time you look into the mirror, I want you to try something different.

I want you to see yourself through MY Eyes.

You were loved long before you were formed in your mother’s womb.  Each detail of what makes you “you” is like a brushstroke on the canvas of a great masterpiece. You were bathed in my loving light as you developed and grew in exactly the way you were meant to.  You are my special and lovely jewel.

You are beloved.

When you were born, heaven rejoiced!  Such a beautiful, sweet baby you were, my daughter.  Did you know the angels held you, and you were comforted by the tender love of Jesus?  In your helplessness and vulnerability, you were being loved and carried by a power so loving and beautiful, that sometimes you couldn’t help but smile or sigh.  Such an exquisitely beautiful baby you were!

As a little girl, you grew and brought me such joy.  Your zest for life, and your amusing antics.  The way your hair caught the light when you were playing gleefully, or the way it matted up after your nap.  Your beautiful innocence was shown through your bright, clear eyes.  Those eyes that touched me deeply because they showed the honesty of what was inside your heart.

Then you grew, and ready or not, you were a teenager!  I know those were difficult and confusing years for you.  I was right there with you, through everything.  When you were trying to fit in, and not seeing or feeling your true worth, you sometimes wondered where I was.  There were times when you were hurting, confused and lonely. I was there, holding you in my arms, and loving you, even when you did not feel me with you.  You were a beautiful bouquet of so many special characteristics that are yours and yours alone.

You didn’t see it at the time, however, all of what you were then was evidence of the beauty that was already a part of you, deeply rooted in your heart and the love I have always had for you.   That beauty was about to spill over, illuminating your physical being…laying the foundation  of the woman you are now.

What do I see when I look at you?

I see a beautiful woman of strength and character.  You have enjoyed many happy moments in your life, and also suffered through deep pain and anguish.  You have felt so weak and powerless at times…that is exactly when I carried you through.  If only you can fully realize that every single detail of you is beautiful and deeply loved.  You were not meant to be anything else.  You were created simply to be YOU.

Do not look to the world to see your true beauty, for the world’s view is veiled and tainted.

Look to Me.

Let go, and allow yourself to rest in my peace and love.  Submit yourself to me…all of who you are.  All of your strengths and weaknesses.  Your joys, your sorrows.  Your accomplishments, your failures.  Trust me – I will work all of the brush strokes of your life into the great masterpiece of my Divine Plan.

You are my beloved daughter, sparkling with a beauty more dazzling than the most precious gem imaginable.

You are loved.

Always,

Your Heavenly Father

 

 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.   Psalm 139:14

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.  Jeremiah 1:5

Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.   1 Peter 3:3-4

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• The Beauty of a Woman (positiveoutlooksblog.com)

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Beloved Daughter

Over the last few days, I have been reading the stories of women that were actually told that they were ugly when they were young.  It is so evil and sad that any person would spew those lies to a child or young woman.  It is devastating.

I feel compelled to share this post from a few years ago with you:

Today I am especially feeling the loving touch of the Holy Spirit through my whole being.  And through that Spirit, I am being led to share some loving words from our Heavenly Father.  This is a love letter to you, His precious daughter. 

Beautiful one, this is for you:

When you look in the mirror, what do you see?  Do you pick apart each facet of your physical body, and compare yourself to other women?  Do you feel inadequate or inferior; sometimes even feeling as though you are hideous in one way or another?  Do you sometimes feel ugly inside, like if people really knew you, they would realize how ugly you truly are?

The next time you look into the mirror, I want you to try something different.

I want you to see yourself through MY Eyes.

You were loved long before you were formed in your mother’s womb.  Each detail of what makes you “you” is like a brushstroke on the canvas of a great masterpiece. You were bathed in my loving light as you developed and grew in exactly the way you were meant to.  You are my special and lovely jewel.

You are beloved.

When you were born, heaven rejoiced!  Such a beautiful, sweet baby you were, my daughter.  Did you know the angels held you, and you were comforted by the tender love of Jesus?  In your helplessness and vulnerability, you were being loved and carried by a power so loving and beautiful, that sometimes you couldn’t help but smile or sigh.  Such an exquisitely beautiful baby you were!

As a little girl, you grew and brought me such joy.  Your zest for life, and your amusing antics.  The way your hair caught the light when you were playing gleefully, or the way it matted up after your nap.  Your beautiful innocence was shown through your bright, clear eyes.  Those eyes that touched me deeply because they showed the honesty of what was inside your heart.

Then you grew, and ready or not, you were a teenager!  I know those were difficult and confusing years for you.  I was right there with you, through everything.  When you were trying to fit in, and not seeing or feeling your true worth, you sometimes wondered where I was.  There were times when you were hurting, confused and lonely. I was there, holding you in my arms, and loving you, even when you did not feel me with you.  You were a beautiful bouquet of so many special characteristics that are yours and yours alone.

You didn’t see it at the time, however, all of what you were then was evidence of the beauty that was already a part of you, deeply rooted in your heart and the love I have always had for you.   That beauty was about to spill over, illuminating your physical being…laying the foundation  of the woman you are now.

What do I see when I look at you?

I see a beautiful woman of strength and character.  You have enjoyed many happy moments in your life, and also suffered through deep pain and anguish.  You have felt so weak and powerless at times…that is exactly when I carried you through.  If only you can fully realize that every single detail of you is beautiful and deeply loved.  You were not meant to be anything else.  You were created simply to be YOU.

Do not look to the world to see your true beauty, for the world’s view is veiled and tainted.

Look to Me.

Let go, and allow yourself to rest in my peace and love.  Submit yourself to me…all of who you are.  All of your strengths and weaknesses.  Your joys, your sorrows.  Your accomplishments, your failures.  Trust me – I will work all of the brush strokes of your life into the great masterpiece of my Divine Plan.

You are my beloved daughter, sparkling with a beauty more dazzling than the most precious gem imaginable.

You are loved.

Always,

Your Heavenly Father

 

 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.   Psalm 139:14

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.  Jeremiah 1:5

Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.   1 Peter 3:3-4

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• The Beauty of a Woman (positiveoutlooksblog.com)

Looking for Love

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  1 Corinthians 2:9

Wow…those words amaze me.  From Scripture, we are promised that we can’t even fathom the wonder and beauty of what the Lord is preparing for us.  All the splendor around us, all the creations of God and all the ideas and inventions of man, will not even TOUCH what is waiting for us.

Did you read the part that says “neither entered into the heart of man”?

That means that no matter how clever or gifted we think we are, we cannot come close to even imagining the love of God for us, and the beauty that will surround us when we enter heaven.  Think about it…we will be in the presence of the One True God.  We will be infused with pure love.  In human form, we can’t even comprehend what pure, unconditional love is.

So we go through life searching for love.  And as the song goes, we are looking for love in all the wrong places.

We feel an emptiness, so we try to fill it with possessions.  Cars, homes, clothes, jewelry, entertainment, and all the other things we feel we need to be happy.  The trouble is, once we attain those things, the novelty wears off and we move to the next thing.  Sound familiar?

Wealth and power are coveted by many who believe that status will bring stability and respect.  After achieving that success, they are left with the nagging insecurity of wondering who would be left to stand with them if all was taken away.  Are there really any true friends that would love them no matter what?

Education and titles seem to be the choice of many to earn “status” so they will be admired and respected.  But deep down inside, they feel that their status is an illusion, and if anyone knew who they truly are, they would no longer be accepted.

Vacations are marketed as a way to “get away from it all” and a time to build relationships.  However, a funny thing happens.  After the vacation, we are once again thrust into our normal day to day life, and the day to day relationships seem to stay the same.  So we look forward to the NEXT vacation, instead of focusing on improving the relationships we so desire.

Many people are devoid of true joy and do not have any idea of their worth.  They try to fill that void through pleasures of promiscuity and immorality.  After the momentary pleasure, they find themselves truly alone, and even more empty.  And even if they do not admit it, they feel used and dirty. They are really looking for true love, and don’t even realize it.  The search is on…over and over again.

Others find solace in looking “perfect”.  An overwhelming number of people turn to plastic surgery.  Sixty five year olds trying to look like twenty five.  Women thinking that large breasts, full lips and a wrinkle free face will bring them love and acceptance.  Men and women changing their appearance in any way imaginable, even their “gender”.  They erroneously believe that once they obtain that “perfect place” they will be happy, accepted and loved.

All kinds of addictions are destroying lives.  Why do we think that drugs, alcohol, food, sex, gambling, shopping will fill that never ending feeling of despair, boredom, loneliness and pain?  The pain is numbed for a short while, and then reappears once the “drug of choice” wears off.  What are we thinking?

Being human, we will never fully understand the glory of God.  However, the trust and faith in his love for us, is the only way to fill that nagging ache in our whole being.  Our souls were created with a homing device, which keeps us longing for more.  But the longing is not for all the false things we strive for on a daily basis; the longing is to return home….to our Father in Heaven.  Once we are secure in His Love, we no longer have a need for all the substitutes.

So once again, read this scripture:

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  1 Corinthians 2:9

We need to realize that we don’t know what we don’t know.  We can’t even dream or fathom what our God has waiting for us.

Where does that leave us?

Pure and simple.  Faith and trust.  Not so much in ourselves or society…we know where that road takes us.

Faith and trust in the merciful, illuminating, all consuming love of our Father, His Son, Jesus, who suffered and died for our salvation, and in the Holy Spirit who is constantly working in us and through us.

That is where we will find the love we are looking for.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16 

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  1 Corinthians 2:9

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.   1 John 3:1

 

Get A Grip!

Tina has a way of touching my heart with true wisdom disguised as shared life stories. Thanks Tina…for your willingness to be God’s vessel!

Just Ask Tina

When I was a little girl, my dad lived on a lake. And while I admit that I don’t make it a habit of swimming in lakes these days – particularly because of the prevalence of alligators in Florida – it’s something I very much looked forward to on my weekends at my dad’s house.

One Sunday, Daddy said my sister, Jerri, and I could go swimming after church. As soon as we got home, we scampered into the house to change into our bathing suits while Daddy moseyed out to the bank and sat down, taking off his church shoes (a/k/a cowboy boots) and socks as he waited for us to come out.

We darted out of the house and raced through the yard and down toward the water, jumping in with a splash. Daddy looked on with a smile as we giggled and frolicked in the cool water…

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Biscuits and Wisdom

Yesterday morning, my husband woke me up with a kiss, and a question.  “Would you like to go out for breakfast?”  He knows I always get to moving fast in the morning, when a “breakfast out”  is on the agenda.  I LOVE breakfast, and all the foods associated with it!  And also the laid back cozy feeling we share together, over the meal and coffee.

Unfortunately, I need to watch my fat intake, so I am usually pretty careful about my food choices.  One of the things I stay away from is biscuits.  I know those buttery, flakey, delectable morsels should be off of my food radar.

We split an omelette with spinach, portobello mushrooms, and a little swiss cheese.  I had half a whole grain pancake, and enjoyed everything.  I watched Joe slathering honey on his biscuit, and then eating it, telling me how good it was.  I couldn’t take it anymore…I broke off a tiny piece of the biscuit,  that’s all I was going to have, and topped it with a tiny bit of honey…and as soon as it was in my mouth, it felt like heaven!

So, after I finished the entire biscuit, I sat there feeling very full and very guilty.

Our waitress came over to check on us.  She was a beautiful young girl, (teenager) that had sparkling  brown eyes and a sweet spirit.  When she asked how everything was, I said “a little too good…I just ate a biscuit that I shouldn’t have eaten”.  Without skipping a beat, she offered “When I eat something I shouldn’t, I always tell my boyfriend that it is good for my soul.  My soul will live forever, and my body will live just a short time.”  She gave us a warm, genuine smile and left.

Such simple words of wisdom she graced us with.

On the way home, Joe commented how amazing it is when someone says just what you need to hear at the time you need to hear it.  Graces and miracles happen every day…and sometimes are easy to miss.

How often do we spend all our energy and time on things of the body- temporal things?  We tend to rationalize, citing all the reasons for not taking the time to become more intimate with Jesus, not taking the time for thanksgiving, worship and repentance.    We tell ourselves that family, education, jobs, vacations, sports, housework, entertainment, volunteering take up all our time.  God understands, right???

God loves us no matter what.  He loves us unconditionally…that is a given.  What is NOT a given, is a two way loving relationship with him.

I believe our relationships on this earth are meant to teach us and prepare us for our eternal relationship with God.  What relationship can flourish if we never spend special, quality time together?  In a loving relationship, don’t we look for ways to bring happiness to each other?  Would we want to offend and dishonor our beloved friends, family members or spouses by living our lives selfishly always looking away from them instead of keeping our eyes, hearts and fidelity fixed on them?

Thank you Lord for touching  us through that sweet waitress. “My soul will live forever, and my body will live just a short time.”

Thank you for reminding me to keep my focus on you, and on heavenly things.  When I honor you, and open my heart to you, you fill me with unbelievable love and peace.  Only then am I able to accomplish the work and share the love that you entrust to me alone.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  John 3:16

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.  Colossians 3:2

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.   Proverbs 3:6

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The Gift

One of the first things you will notice upon meeting my mother are her beautiful, clear blue eyes that are complemented by her silvery white hair.  When she laughs, her eyes sparkle.  When I look into her eyes, I don’t just see her at her current age…I see a lifetime. I also see her as a child, teenager, young woman, complete with the hopes and dreams that lived in her heart and spirit.

Mom’s current life consists of her love for God and the Blessed Mother, family, Barbies, Beanie Babies, all children, and all animals.  She is very selfless; always looking for ways she can help people, or little gifts she could give them.  Time with family, praying, reading countless books, word search, card games, movies, shopping, and dining out, fill her days.  Mom’s mobility isn’t what it used to be, so she depends on me and my husband for her outings and social life.  Being that we both work fulltime jobs, plus the responsibilities of home and a home business, we don’t get her out of the house as much as we would like.  Mom is a very social person, and I know she is lonely for friends.

Mom has lived with my husband and me for the past nine years.  At 85, she has lived through lots of life.  There has been joy in her life, and also a great deal of pain and struggle, which culminated with my dad’s death ten years ago.  After almost fifty years of marriage, her life’s love and best friend was taken from her.  To this day, she hasn’t gotten over the pain of losing him.  Although she is happy with us, I know that she misses him every minute.  I definitely understand that, because if I lost my husband, I would miss him every minute, too.

My mother raised four daughters.  I am second to the youngest, and was daddy’s girl.  Although mom took care of my needs, I never felt a close relationship with her while growing up.  She was always “my mother” and I never knew her as a person.  Everything in our home revolved around my dad…it’s hard to describe the person he was.  Let’s just say he was full of life, and everything usually revolved around him and his moods.  Although my relationship with him was confusing at times, I knew who he was, and some of what he had gone through in his life.  During good and bad times, I had a close relationship with my dad.

When my father’s health started to go downhill, and he was no longer able to do the things that brought him joy, it was difficult and painful  to see him so vulnerable.  My mom told me she used to go in a room by herself, pretending to play solitaire on the computer, and just cry.  We lived states away from them, so we didn’t know the extent of his weakness.  Her stories of how he would fall and she would struggle to get him up are just heartbreaking….the last time he fell, she dragged him with a sheet to the couch where he finally was able to hoist himself up.  Mom would never go anywhere without him, because she was afraid that he might pass away, without her being there.  He wanted to die in his own home, not a hospital, and she wanted to be there for him.

It was the Sunday after Easter in 2003, and Mom was in their kitchen preparing a roast for the crockpot. (she retells this story a lot) She heard my dad call her name twice, “Mary, Mary”.  She ran into the bedroom, and he was half off the bed – kind of caught between the bed and the wall.  He must have hit his head on the dresser, because he was bleeding.  From what she says, I think he was already gone.  She ran into the other room to get the phone, to call 911. She will always be sorry for not just staying with him and holding him.  No matter how many times I tell her that Daddy knew how much she loved him, and her name was the name he carried with him to meet God, she still feels that guilt.  I believe her inner life is filled with memories…mostly good, with bad and guilt swirled in.  Isn’t it the same for all of us?

There are many experiences Mom has never shared with me.  I know she goes much deeper than she has revealed so far.  But one of my prayers was truly answered.  When my dad was getting weaker, and his health diminishing, I would pray that God take him first so I can get to know my mother.

When we first took my mother into our home, I did it out of honor and respect for her.  I was happy that we were able to give her a safe and happy place to live, and felt that we were presenting her with a gift. 

What I have finally figured out, nine years later, is that she is the gift… to me.

I am learning so many things about my mom.  I have always known that my temper is from my dad, but my ability to forgive and love, came from my mother.  My mother sees the good in me, and although she also sees the rough spots, she mostly overlooks the negative.  It makes me sad, because every now and again I will lose my temper with her (always because of politics), and afterwards, I feel so bad.  When I apologize, she just says, “sometimes things just build up and things have to come out”.  I appreciate her words, but still feel bad that it happened in the first place.

Because of those moments with her, I now understand how she and my dad filled each other’s lives so perfectly.  My dad was very hard to live with sometimes, and she was able to let that go.  She knew and understood his heart…and forgave the actions.  BIG LESSON for me.  I have also learned many little things about her life, which help me patch together a feeling of the struggles she went through.  However, when I ask her what she would change….she says that she would change nothing.  She did the best she could with the circumstances that she was placed in.

And she does what she has always told me to do…she offers it all up to God.

Thank you, Mom…for such a beautiful gift.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;  That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.  Ephesians 6:1-3

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.  Ephesians 4:32

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.  …  1 Corinthians 13

 

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Love…One Heart at a Time

Remember the old adage, “People need loving the most when they deserve it the least”?  When I hear or read those words, I understand the basic truth, but come on….isn’t this one of the most difficult things to put into action?  I mean, if a person’s general demeanor is negative, and does not care one bit if he offends or hurts me or anyone else, am I really expected to treat him lovingly?  The short, Christian answer is YES!

Let me first say that I don’t recommend spending time with an abusive person, when your very safety is involved.  However, there are other ways of loving.  We will get to that…

In my personal life, there have been family members, friends, co-workers who seem to relish the idea of making me personally feel uncomfortable, or maybe have an abrasive, negative personality toward everyone in general.  You know the kind of person – it’s the one who makes you cringe when she is walking toward you, the one who relentlessly gossips about most everybody, or who constantly shoots stinging remarks, instinctively knowing  how to push the proverbial button on everyone she comes in contact with.  It’s a human defense strategy to back away from people like this, and if you are at all like me, you put up a defensive wall to protect yourself from the pain or embarrassment this person may cause you.  I usually find a way to avoid these people.

So…people need loving the most when they deserve it the least…what does that mean to me?

I have learned that when people truly love, respect, and accept themselves – love, respect and acceptance will shine from them toward the people they interact with. Since they are aware of  their own personal  value, they tend to value each person in their lives.  They will still make mistakes and hurt people occasionally, however, when they are made aware of hurting someone, they are sorrowful and ask forgiveness.

On the other hand, when people do not love, respect and accept themselves, they are not happy deep inside, so they don’t have too much love to share.  Which leads me to the  “Somebody Loves Me” act of love for the day…

Make today the day to send love to that one person who just rubs you the wrong way; or that person who is so negative, you can hardly force yourself to spend time with him/her.  Love can be sent in many ways; I will share some that have worked for me.

The first and most important way to love is to PRAY for that person.  Yes, pray that the Holy Spirit fill his heart with total love, that he will feel the love of Jesus. Ask the Lord to send His Holy Angels to guide him toward Jesus, and to protect him from satan.  Also pray for healing for that person, whether it be physical, emotional, or spiritual.  As you pray for him, you will eventually feel a softening of your own heart toward him.

The second way to love is to ask questions.  Ask him about himself, get to know him.  Really LISTEN to what he says.  You may get a clue as to what he has experienced in life to bring him to the place he is now.  I have learned that the people I have the hardest time with have usually suffered and endured painful, horrendous things in their past.  Once I know a little of their story, I find more compassion in my heart for them.

Other ideas may be sending cards (even anonymously), little thoughtful or funny gifts, or simply flashing a genuine smile.

So, let’s make this the day to take a step forward in unselfish love.

Please share your ideas of ways to help a person know  “Somebody Loves Me”.   God will magnify your efforts!

Matthew 5:43-48      You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

1 John 4:7   Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

1 Peter 4:8   Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins

The Revelation

This morning, I woke up with the same thoughts that go through my head every day, in the same order.  First, I thanked God for another day, and for all the blessings in my life.  That led me to thank Him for my most precious gift, my husband of 35 years, who was fast asleep next to me.  At that point, my heart is filled with love,  leading me to my life’s big question.  “Lord, what is my purpose…how can my life glorify You?” I have been waiting for God to reveal to me the BIG mission of my life for years, and today I had an enlightening revelation.

I believe we are meant to know God and share God’s love through each person that we interact with every day.  Each person, whether it be a spouse, family member, friend, or someone we pass casually as we go through our day, is an  opportunity to share love.

How many times have you seen a mother who is having an especially difficult time with her children and might need some tender words of support? Or maybe a family shopping for groceries who appears to be in need?  You see their shopping cart with just a few items in it…when it is apparent  the family needs much more.  A friend is depressed or an elderly neighbor is lonely…your heartstrings are tugging at you, but what can you do?  So many people are quietly suffering in their daily life, and you feel powerless because you don’t know what you can do for them.

What was my revelation?  It was as simple as this.  I heard God speaking to me.  “Are you ready to see?”  To me, that meant  “are you ready to really see the people around you?”

Don’t let the bigness of the world’s issues weigh you down and cause you to feel powerless.  Really look at the people around you.  Take the step toward DOING SOMETHING, no matter how small the gesture seems to you.  Say a prayer, then send a card or call your friend and let them know they are being prayed for and that someone “has their back”.  When you see someone who is looking sad or depressed, smile at them or stop to talk with them, and really listen to what they share with you.  If you know someone is in financial need, if you are able, send them some cash.  I have come to learn that sometimes the best way to help someone may be to help him or her anonymously.  If you handed your friend or family member cash, they would feel embarrassed or in debt to you.  If they receive it anonymously, they receive hope, and they cannot repay it to the giver!  Hopefully, they will pass it on to someone in need once they are back on their feet.

This blog is meant to open eyes and hearts to the little things we can do each day to share love, one heart at a time.  Sometimes, the only way a person can learn that God loves them, is by knowing that somebody loves them.  One little gesture just might be the key that is needed to open the door of a heart in need.

1 John 4:7  Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God